The Hollywood Vinyl District is Los Angeles' hottest spot

Hollywood isn't just the centre of the film industry, its Vinyl District is a thriving showcase of the LA music scene - and it's taken an Aussie to unlock the secrets of a legendary recording studio.

It’s a Saturday night at Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, and Australian co-owner Grant Smillie is working the floor. 

The restaurateur, who also owns EP & LP in West Hollywood, couldn’t believe his luck when this former recording studio, where the likes of David Bowie, Stevie Wonder and the Foo Fighters made albums, was placed on the market.

He knew that it was a perfect space for a rooftop bar and restaurant. Even the former studio is used as a bar, named Studio71.

“Plus, the playlist is incredible,” Smillie tells me, pointing to the speakers where the “best of” from all the musicians who recorded here plays. The decor is a nod to the recording industry’s heady heyday while the Italian/Australian menu (try the Murray cod) and comprehensive cocktail and wine list are a nod to the hip Hollywood of today. They often host themed nights where musicians such as Metallica, who also recorded here, make special appearances.

Grandmaster Recorders Rooftop Bar in Hollywood's Vinyl District.

Grandmaster Recorders is just one venue in what’s known as the “Vinyl District” in Hollywood. Hollywood is celebrated for its connection to the movie industry but it’s also a long-time home to the recording industry, a fact illustrated by famous Hollywood landmark the Capitol Records Building, the headquarters of Capitol Records and its impressive roster of artists from The Beatles to the Beastie Boys, and Frank Sinatra to Beyoncé.

The Vinyl District comprises the area bordered by Hollywood and Sunset to the north and south and Gower and Schrader to the east and west. Capitol Records Building with its “stack of records” crown is the main landmark.

Another beacon of the Vinyl District is Amoeba Music. The company’s original Hollywood store on Sunset Boulevard had long been a must-visit for vinyl fans and its new even bigger location puts it right in the hustle and bustle of Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. The store’s massive floor space is devoted to an endless array of vinyl, CDs and even cassettes. For most, the joy is in the countless racks full of vinyl, from commercially popular to utterly obscure, including brand-new but hard-to-find platters and cheaply priced oldies for those who want to buy original pressings.

Amoeba Music is a mainstay of the Los Angeles music scene.

Another good little record shop is original Vinyl District joint The Record Parlour, which offers an eclectic mix of vintage vinyl.

Music of the live variety is also well catered for in the Vinyl District, with the spacious 1920s-era Fonda Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard the pick of the bunch. The venue hosts a surprising array of acts, including the latest up-and-comers and popular independent artists. I was there for the Big Crown Records showcase, during which the cinematic soul of El Michels Affair filled the room with joy. And the rooftop bar affords a fantastic view of the surrounding area.

If you want to stay rather than visit, the boutique Hollywood Volume hotel combines Californian chic with a bohemian vibe. Think floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the Hollywood Hills, timber floors and generous pops of colour. Onsite restaurant Ka’teen offers fresh flavours of the Yucatán Peninsula helmed by renowned chef Wes Avila.

The hotel is within walking distance of all the sights in the Vinyl District, including the famed Sunday morning Hollywood farmers’ market for freshly made bread, fine organic produce, and amazing tamales. Be alert and you might spot a famous actor or musician doing a bit of vegie shopping.

The author was a guest of Visit California.

Originally published as The Hollywood Vinyl District is Los Angeles' hottest spot